Aa
sudden strong pain
was very active dog untill a couple months ago. She used to jump up and down and in circles just because she was happy, I would trow a ball up in the air and I have never seen a dog jump that high to get it!! I started noticing that she would still get very hyper when happy and would run in circles but she stoped jumping completely.
About a month it started that she could be just walking and all of a sudden she would just cry and look towards her back (it seem) . It was a cry as if something bit her or sting her. It was a shrot cry like I said like if she would of stepped on a something sharp for example.
I used to look at the feet for an injury but nothing.
Then it stopped for a while and now is really worse. Again, she could just be walking and then start screamming and crying but now it lasts much longer, she is in alot of pain when this happens. Now when she is crying like this she seems to bring her hips in an always looks for soemones legs to hide behind. She lays down, the pain stops and she get up liek nothing has happend!
It is very strange, she can have one of these episodes, I bring her inside the house , lay her in a towel and all of a sudden she would hear something outside and go out running and barking!
Another strange thing is that we have taken her to the vet 3 times since it started and vet vet pulls, pushes, touches, everything form her foot to hip and she does not cry then!
A few observations are: 2 times has someone pet her real slow on her back and the screeming started and anothr is that now that the pain is worse she lifts her right foot when she is crying like this.
It really looks as if someting when touched or moved at a precise spot a nerve gets pinched or something. but again then she can run, bark, get up,lay down with no pain. It just comes out of nowhere.
but it is getting worse, and more ofter, and she is in a lot of pain. Does anyone have any idea of what could be and I can tell my vet to check??
About a month it started that she could be just walking and all of a sudden she would just cry and look towards her back (it seem) . It was a cry as if something bit her or sting her. It was a shrot cry like I said like if she would of stepped on a something sharp for example.
I used to look at the feet for an injury but nothing.
Then it stopped for a while and now is really worse. Again, she could just be walking and then start screamming and crying but now it lasts much longer, she is in alot of pain when this happens. Now when she is crying like this she seems to bring her hips in an always looks for soemones legs to hide behind. She lays down, the pain stops and she get up liek nothing has happend!
It is very strange, she can have one of these episodes, I bring her inside the house , lay her in a towel and all of a sudden she would hear something outside and go out running and barking!
Another strange thing is that we have taken her to the vet 3 times since it started and vet vet pulls, pushes, touches, everything form her foot to hip and she does not cry then!
A few observations are: 2 times has someone pet her real slow on her back and the screeming started and anothr is that now that the pain is worse she lifts her right foot when she is crying like this.
It really looks as if someting when touched or moved at a precise spot a nerve gets pinched or something. but again then she can run, bark, get up,lay down with no pain. It just comes out of nowhere.
but it is getting worse, and more ofter, and she is in a lot of pain. Does anyone have any idea of what could be and I can tell my vet to check??
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello
I agree with the above comments and to me it sounds like she might have a "slipped disc" at the area of the base of her neck affecting the nerves to her front leg. The pain meds she was given before the xrays were taken often last up to 7-10 days, so observing her after this time will be helpful. The fact that your vet said her regular x-rays were normal does not necessarily rule out the possibility of a "slipped disc"; there are many reasons including positioning that can obscure this on a film. Generally the pain will wax and wain often relative to her activity levels. There are also natural supplements that would be helpful to her.
Thank you
Dr Carol Osborne, DVM
I agree with the above comments and to me it sounds like she might have a "slipped disc" at the area of the base of her neck affecting the nerves to her front leg. The pain meds she was given before the xrays were taken often last up to 7-10 days, so observing her after this time will be helpful. The fact that your vet said her regular x-rays were normal does not necessarily rule out the possibility of a "slipped disc"; there are many reasons including positioning that can obscure this on a film. Generally the pain will wax and wain often relative to her activity levels. There are also natural supplements that would be helpful to her.
Thank you
Dr Carol Osborne, DVM
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Besides the x-rays did your doctor also do a very good physical especially on that R foot. Also consider some "pinches" and arthritis do exist but my not be visible on an x-ray. And the sine is a very complex bit of anatomy. Problems can exist in many places.
Then in the leg or legs subtle problems may exist that are not demonstrateable on any imaging.
If his blood work is all WNL (within normal limits) (your new acronym for the day) then I think your veterinarian will want to treat symptomatically i.e. the use of some non-steroid anti-inflammatory meds and then monitor his progress as she ages and adjust accordingly.
For sure now you know there is not an obvious problem(s) and you have baseline data should x-rays be needed in the future.
You have done well and have a lot more information, even though you may still not have a definitive diagnosis.
Keep us posted. and feel free to ask any other questions.
Then in the leg or legs subtle problems may exist that are not demonstrateable on any imaging.
If his blood work is all WNL (within normal limits) (your new acronym for the day) then I think your veterinarian will want to treat symptomatically i.e. the use of some non-steroid anti-inflammatory meds and then monitor his progress as she ages and adjust accordingly.
For sure now you know there is not an obvious problem(s) and you have baseline data should x-rays be needed in the future.
You have done well and have a lot more information, even though you may still not have a definitive diagnosis.
Keep us posted. and feel free to ask any other questions.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Both arthritis and spinal disc pain can act just like this. They compensate pretty well and then a movement or "pinch" happens just right and they get a shooting pain.
I've also seen dogs relaxed and resting show more pain, then when something excites them they will jump up as if they had NO pain and take off!...
I would still do the same diagnostic work up and get a diagnosis, then careful after care / meds. She has many good years ahead of her!
I've also seen dogs relaxed and resting show more pain, then when something excites them they will jump up as if they had NO pain and take off!...
I would still do the same diagnostic work up and get a diagnosis, then careful after care / meds. She has many good years ahead of her!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This sounds like a clear progression of pain. At 5 years of age she may be developing problems in her back, hips or legs. The only way to diagnose this would be a complete physical exam (does sound like you have done that) next is a full set of X-rays of the back (Lumbar Spine - from side and from the top), and of her hips, then perhaps look at joints in her back legs if those x-rays are negative.
Pain like this can come from arthritis in the back, vertebral disc disease, hip arthritis (especially from his dysplasia) and neurogenic pain of many origins.
It is now necessary to determine exactly what is the actual cause of the pain. We do have a variety of pain relievers and anti-inflammatories that can be used.
But before any prescriptions can be used effectively, we need to know what is wrong or at least have a very good idea of where the pain is originating.
Hopefully you can get these tests run and let us know what you found.
Pain like this can come from arthritis in the back, vertebral disc disease, hip arthritis (especially from his dysplasia) and neurogenic pain of many origins.
It is now necessary to determine exactly what is the actual cause of the pain. We do have a variety of pain relievers and anti-inflammatories that can be used.
But before any prescriptions can be used effectively, we need to know what is wrong or at least have a very good idea of where the pain is originating.
Hopefully you can get these tests run and let us know what you found.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Here is the problem. As veterinarians in the US, we are bound by law to not give specific diagnoses or treatments in cases we cannot see. In a virtual environment like this we are able to guide, advice, and give opinions based on past cases / experience and offer generalities. We have done this for you. However, when you ask for specific diagnosis or treatment we simply cannot do that for you. I am sorry you live is an area with limited care.
I can say in general, if a dog has a spinal disorder the treatment is usually surgical. Occasionally we cannot help with surgery and steroids are used as a long term anti-inflammatory. For example, my older German Shepherd has two levels of severe spinal disease that are not surgical. He gets 20 mg. Prednisolone every other day after we gave him a loading does and got the severe inflammation calmed down. Now on the every other day does he does pretty well, but he is not completely out of pain. He has been on this for 3 years without any bad side effects. But in this case we know exactly what we are dealing with as we've done neuro exams, MRI's etc.
There are new generation NSAIDS like Rimadyl or Etogesic or Previcox that may help with chronic inflammation.
The veterinarian there should be able to order and provide for you these medications. I would not want to see continued use of pure pain relievers as clearly they are not working well, and over time narcotic pain relievers lose effectiveness. Further, they do nothing to help an inflammatory problem.
We all hope you are able to get a specific diagnosis and some good guidance on treatments that work.
Dr. Humphries
Veterinary Administrator
I can say in general, if a dog has a spinal disorder the treatment is usually surgical. Occasionally we cannot help with surgery and steroids are used as a long term anti-inflammatory. For example, my older German Shepherd has two levels of severe spinal disease that are not surgical. He gets 20 mg. Prednisolone every other day after we gave him a loading does and got the severe inflammation calmed down. Now on the every other day does he does pretty well, but he is not completely out of pain. He has been on this for 3 years without any bad side effects. But in this case we know exactly what we are dealing with as we've done neuro exams, MRI's etc.
There are new generation NSAIDS like Rimadyl or Etogesic or Previcox that may help with chronic inflammation.
The veterinarian there should be able to order and provide for you these medications. I would not want to see continued use of pure pain relievers as clearly they are not working well, and over time narcotic pain relievers lose effectiveness. Further, they do nothing to help an inflammatory problem.
We all hope you are able to get a specific diagnosis and some good guidance on treatments that work.
Dr. Humphries
Veterinary Administrator
Thank you for your comments.
You said there are some natural suplements I could give my dog. What type would these be??? Just to start looking at options that might help her feel better.
Thank you
You said there are some natural suplements I could give my dog. What type would these be??? Just to start looking at options that might help her feel better.
Thank you
thank you
It is very dificult for me because were I live there are not many resources. I had to become friends with the guy at the x ray place and then beg him to take x rays of my dogs. MRI would be the best even the vet here said so but there is no place we could have it done.
I know you said - and I understand- that you cannot direct exams or the sort, but just to have an idea´ lets say she does have some spinal disease what is the outlook?? is there medicine?? or just pain medicine? what do you do in these cases??
also, what do you think about a nerve disease?? To me is just weird how some movements dont cause pain and then at the minor step she screems in pain. It is as if only at precise movements she just gets pinched.
I am looking at a secon opinion but like I said since we do not have many vet resources here any ideas from you I can pass along to my et and hopefully work something out.
Thank you very much
It is very dificult for me because were I live there are not many resources. I had to become friends with the guy at the x ray place and then beg him to take x rays of my dogs. MRI would be the best even the vet here said so but there is no place we could have it done.
I know you said - and I understand- that you cannot direct exams or the sort, but just to have an idea´ lets say she does have some spinal disease what is the outlook?? is there medicine?? or just pain medicine? what do you do in these cases??
also, what do you think about a nerve disease?? To me is just weird how some movements dont cause pain and then at the minor step she screems in pain. It is as if only at precise movements she just gets pinched.
I am looking at a secon opinion but like I said since we do not have many vet resources here any ideas from you I can pass along to my et and hopefully work something out.
Thank you very much
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
So sorry you are having such problems. It is impossible for us to direct exams and interpretations of exams and test in a virtual environment like this.
If BM's are normal it is probably not constipation (especially for a month of severe pain symptoms). Constipation CAN cause pain, but I would surely rule out the more obvious ones first. It is our opinion this dog has spinal disease or another source of acute orthopedic pain.
As Dr. Osborne said angles of radiographs and many other techniques are very important in spinal x-rays. Also other studies such as contrast x-rays (myelograms) may be needed for diagnosis. MRI would be best. I would also look at the cervical spine.
At This Point, if you could get to a specialist or even a second opinion it might be helpful to get a second set of eyes on the tests and perhaps other intervention in the case.
I am not sure there is much more we can do for you in a forum setting.
If BM's are normal it is probably not constipation (especially for a month of severe pain symptoms). Constipation CAN cause pain, but I would surely rule out the more obvious ones first. It is our opinion this dog has spinal disease or another source of acute orthopedic pain.
As Dr. Osborne said angles of radiographs and many other techniques are very important in spinal x-rays. Also other studies such as contrast x-rays (myelograms) may be needed for diagnosis. MRI would be best. I would also look at the cervical spine.
At This Point, if you could get to a specialist or even a second opinion it might be helpful to get a second set of eyes on the tests and perhaps other intervention in the case.
I am not sure there is much more we can do for you in a forum setting.
every time she goes up a stair or step she cryes
also, she is given a pill called traumel for pain and inflamation (i think) but does not work in my opinion. I need to give her something stronger at least to calm the pain
I need your help again. my dog is worse than ever now.
After I wrote on this post she got a litlle better, less pain moments it seem and was running around. Now, she barely even stands up. She screems in pain when she gets up or after given a few steps.
3 days ago she was in so much pain we had to sedate her. That calms her down for about 2 days, she walks more even with less pain. Today again, she screems in pain.
A new symptom is that when in pain now she limps on her back right leg, only once before I had seen her do this but now it is in every episode. She des not seem to lay down on that side either.
When I go to say Hi to her she shrivers I think of the fear to move and be in pan, later calms down.
x ray was taken of spine and hip. Should we do a right leg xray?
anny suggestions on what to look for. My vet has told me he does not know what else to do
After I wrote on this post she got a litlle better, less pain moments it seem and was running around. Now, she barely even stands up. She screems in pain when she gets up or after given a few steps.
3 days ago she was in so much pain we had to sedate her. That calms her down for about 2 days, she walks more even with less pain. Today again, she screems in pain.
A new symptom is that when in pain now she limps on her back right leg, only once before I had seen her do this but now it is in every episode. She des not seem to lay down on that side either.
When I go to say Hi to her she shrivers I think of the fear to move and be in pan, later calms down.
x ray was taken of spine and hip. Should we do a right leg xray?
anny suggestions on what to look for. My vet has told me he does not know what else to do
Dr. Humphries,
All the blood work came out normal, he made an extensive blood work and all is fine.
she has been doing better lately, I have only heard her cry twice in 3 days (it got to a point where it was almost all day long she would have these episodes) .
She was given meds for pain before the day of the xray and seem better but she has been off them for 2 days now and the pain still seems to have gone away alot. She is not jumping like she used too but at least I saw her running in circle at meal time last night.
the vet said that in the xray he saw that the intenstine track was pretty full. He has me following her to see how she pups as he think it might be constipation. What do you think?? possible???
What seems strange is that the strong pain has just been these past 2-3 weeks but like I said before she has decreased her activity, mainly the jumping, for about 3 months (she just might be getting old??)
Thank you again for everything.
Nicole
All the blood work came out normal, he made an extensive blood work and all is fine.
she has been doing better lately, I have only heard her cry twice in 3 days (it got to a point where it was almost all day long she would have these episodes) .
She was given meds for pain before the day of the xray and seem better but she has been off them for 2 days now and the pain still seems to have gone away alot. She is not jumping like she used too but at least I saw her running in circle at meal time last night.
the vet said that in the xray he saw that the intenstine track was pretty full. He has me following her to see how she pups as he think it might be constipation. What do you think?? possible???
What seems strange is that the strong pain has just been these past 2-3 weeks but like I said before she has decreased her activity, mainly the jumping, for about 3 months (she just might be getting old??)
Thank you again for everything.
Nicole
just talked to the vet about the xrays and nothing showed, everything seems fine.
He is going to run blood test tomorrow just to keep ruling out stuff.
What else do you recomend we check??
thak you for all your help
He is going to run blood test tomorrow just to keep ruling out stuff.
What else do you recomend we check??
thak you for all your help
Thank you very much for your answer.
Today will do the x rays and see if anything shows.
However, I wanten to coment to you a few things: When she does these crys-screeming of pain she is usually not doind anything active. And then she can stand up quick, slam the door open and go outside running.
She also stills drops herself on her back for me to scratch her belly and does not seem to bother her. And then she can we walking, or I am petting her (while she is standing up) and starts screeming.
twice we have notice that we have petted her lighly on her back and twice it happend petting the inside of her legs that she starts crying. It is strange because the vet pushed and pulled everything and did not cry but then we pet her and she does, or she is just walking and it happends. Its weird.
but again, now she limps on her right foot when the pain episode is very strong.
Because she does certain things without pain (or at least withuot rying) I am not too sure about arthritis or something like that. but it could be since she has definetely has become less active then before.
What else could it be given the observation that sometimes the pain is set of by a light touch on her coat. ??
Thank you very much
Today will do the x rays and see if anything shows.
However, I wanten to coment to you a few things: When she does these crys-screeming of pain she is usually not doind anything active. And then she can stand up quick, slam the door open and go outside running.
She also stills drops herself on her back for me to scratch her belly and does not seem to bother her. And then she can we walking, or I am petting her (while she is standing up) and starts screeming.
twice we have notice that we have petted her lighly on her back and twice it happend petting the inside of her legs that she starts crying. It is strange because the vet pushed and pulled everything and did not cry but then we pet her and she does, or she is just walking and it happends. Its weird.
but again, now she limps on her right foot when the pain episode is very strong.
Because she does certain things without pain (or at least withuot rying) I am not too sure about arthritis or something like that. but it could be since she has definetely has become less active then before.
What else could it be given the observation that sometimes the pain is set of by a light touch on her coat. ??
Thank you very much
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